This is a key management role based in Rotterdam, with a strong focus on leadership, supplier management, operational performance and change. The role is not intended for a deep technical specialist, but for someone who understands logistics and operational processes, knows how to lead people, builds strong relationships and is motivated by the opportunity to improve and shape how things are done.
You will join a business with a strong international footprint, a pragmatic culture and a clear long-term perspective. Over time, this position is expected to grow into a broader European responsibility across multiple brands within the group.
As European Maintenance & Repair Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the regional M&R team in Rotterdam and managing the European depot and service provider network. Your main goal is to ensure that containers move through the maintenance and repair process as efficiently, safely and cost-effectively as possible, so that assets are available again quickly and downtime is reduced.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, coaching and developing the Maintenance & Repair team in Rotterdam, including both technical and administrative colleagues.
- Creating structure, stability and clarity within a team that is operating in a changing organizational environment.
- Translating the new global corporate structure and central guidelines into practical local processes and ways of working.
- Managing and strengthening relationships with external service providers, including container depots, inspection companies, parts suppliers and other relevant partners across Europe.
- Taking a partnership-driven approach towards suppliers, with a focus on long-term cooperation, performance improvement and mutual accountability.
- Independently negotiating contracts, annual rates and service agreements with depot groups and other suppliers.
- Monitoring and improving depot and M&R performance through KPIs, with a strong focus on reducing downtime, improving turnaround times, managing repair costs and increasing asset availability.
- Managing budgets, repair cost control, personnel planning and operational performance for the regional M&R function.
- Identifying bottlenecks in processes, supplier performance or internal cooperation and taking proactive steps to improve them.
- Working closely with internal stakeholders such as Customer Service, Sales, Technical, Fleet Management, Operations, IT and senior management.
- Managing cooperation with departments in a constructive and solution-oriented way.
- Supporting process optimization, standardization and future system improvements, including preparation for a major IT/ERP upgrade.
- Maintaining a strong understanding of the European service network, with key business hubs in the Rotterdam-Antwerp region and Le Havre, as well as growth opportunities in Eastern Europe.
- Travelling regularly within Europe to visit depots, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Taking ownership of additional projects and improvement initiatives related to M&R, depot performance and operational efficiency.
The ideal candidate brings:
- A solid understanding of logistics, shipping, maritime operations, freight forwarding, container logistics, depot operations or a related asset-driven environment.
- Initial proven experience in a team leadership or management role. This is essential, as you will be responsible for leading a local team.
- Experience in supplier, vendor or service provider management, ideally including performance reviews, escalation management and relationship building.
- Commercial skills and experience in negotiating contracts, rates or service agreements with external partners.
- Experience with KPI-driven management, budget responsibility, cost control and operational performance improvement.
- A proactive and hands-on mindset: someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves, understand the business and take ownership.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to be clear and direct while remaining diplomatic and culturally aware.
- The ability to build trust with long-standing experts, internal stakeholders and external partners.
- A humble and self-aware personality. You know how to enter an experienced team with respect, while still bringing fresh ideas and driving improvement.
- A change-oriented mindset and the confidence to challenge the status quo in a constructive way.
- Affinity with IT systems, process mapping and continuous improvement. Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, fishbone analysis, swimlane diagrams or similar process improvement methods is considered a strong plus.
- Fluency in Dutch and English. Dutch is essential for managing the local team in Rotterdam, while English is required for international corporate communication.
- Any additional European language, such as French, German or Spanish, is a plus.
- Willingness to travel within Europe, approximately one week per month.
- The ability and motivation to work regularly from the Rotterdam office and to be visibly present for the team.
- A long-term perspective and the ambition to grow with the organization.
Bonus: A performance-based bonus scheme of 10-15% of annual salary based on annual target agreements is in place
Company Car: A company car is included in the package for this position
Health insurance: 70% employers' contribution for the health insurance
Pension: 2/3 employers' contribution for the pension
Holidays: 30 days' vacationApplication ProcedureIf you are interested in this vacancy, you can apply by clicking on the button above. By clicking on apply, you agree to our privacy commitment and terms and conditions. Your application will be sent directly to the recruiter in charge. IMPORTANT: if you are not yet registered with Undutchables we kindly ask you to do so. Your information will be handled in the strictest confidence and your CV will not be sent to a company unless you have given prior permission. Curious about how the recruitment process works within Undutchables, click here to read more.Salarisomschrijving
€80000.00 - €90000.00 monthly